Five QPR players prime for January Premier League pick ups

Five QPR player picks to join Premier League in January

As QPR prepare for a televised tussle in the Championship with fellow southern second-tier side Reading (21/20 to beat the Hoops), Coral look at five players talented enough to be plying their trade in the top-flight. Could clubs come calling this Christmas?

With the Hoops hovering in midtable, and chances of a promotion push slimming, as they remain rudderless following Chris Ramsey’s departure plus reports Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is to take over, there are surely bargains to be had should players seek a move for more stability.

Here are are five we fancy to be attracting attention…

Massimo Luongo

Australia international Luongo opted for a more modest move to Loftus Road last summer, after starring for League One Swindon Town and being crowned 2014 Asian Cup Player of the Tournament for his country.

The Socceroos star, an energetic, all-round, box-to-box midfielder, has hardly been playing in his favoured role, and could be a plum squad pick-up for a lower Premier League side, with Aston Villa among those previously believed to be keen.

“I am not going to be somebody I am not on the pitch just to get in the team, or what not,” said Luongo recently. “I play the way I play.”

Matt Phillips

Scotland international Phillips has been flying down the flanks for the Hoops, emerging as one of their brightest attacking threats, despite the disappointment of relegation.

The rapid winger is a key player alongside another later on this list, that the Loftus Road hierarchy would not want to let leave.

Yet, should a new boss with fresh ideas be anointed, Phillips could bring in crucial cash for an overhaul. West Bromwich Albion have been linked, and could certainly use his inventiveness in their often stale attack.

Leroy Fer

With Clockwork Orange in a calamity, Dutch midfield dynamo Fer must resist apparent calls for a return to former club Feyenoord, with a De Kuip reunion considered a step backwards.

Instead, with Netherlands spots up for grabs, we think the 25-year-old still has the chance to jostle for space in the squads of Premier League new boys Bournemouth, old side Norwich City and at Newcastle United, where there is a significant defensive Dutch presence.

Tjaronn Chery

Chery has proven a fan favourite since arriving in London this summer, with four goals and three assists so far, but has been in and out of the team lately.

There is a certain spark about the dangerous Dutch attacker, however, which could appeal to top-tier clubs in need of a little extra swagger, with Sunderland springing to mind. Chery has not proven to be to every Hoops manager’s taste so far, but there would be a queue for his loan services should any new boss prefer to bring in his own attackers.

Charlie Austin

Of course this familiar name pops up in any transfer list related to QPR (14/5 to defeat Reading), but would the Hoops really be foolhardy to cash-in while they can?

There have been previous concerns over Austin’s fitness which supposedly scuppered a switch in summer, and the striker (7/4 to score against Reading anytime) has had spells out this season already. There’s little doubt this dangerman can bang in the goals, but he would also command a hefty fee the Hoops may fail to find elsewhere for rebuilding.

With several Premier League sides desperate for a poacher of this calibre, namely Villa, Sunderland, Newcastle, West Brom et al, an auction could be too tempting to turn down.